DOCSLIB.ORG

Women's Representation at Federal Legislative And

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Women's Representation at Federal Legislative And Asian Journal of Business Management 5(3): 276-283, 2013 ISSN: 2041-8744; e-ISSN: 2041-8752 © Maxwell Scientific Organization, 2013 Submitted: April 03, 2012 Accepted: January 03, 2013 Published: June 15, 2013 Women’s Representation at Federal Legislative and Executive Bodies: A Comparative Study of Pakistan and Malaysia Najeebullah Khan and Amanullah Khan Miankhel Department of Public Administration, School of Communication, University Sains Malaysia, Gomal University, D.I. Khan, Pakistan Abstract: Prior research has been focused on the assessment of women representation in lower house of the parliament. This study examines an overtime growth for the descriptive representation of women in both the legislative and executive bodies of Pakistan and Malaysia. Time series plot is used to assess overtime growth of women representation since independence of the countries. The results indicate substantial increase in woman representation over the years in both the countries. However representation of women in both the legislative and executive bodies of Malaysia is better than Pakistan except lower house of the parliament, which is due to reservation of 60 seats for women in Pakistan. The results of t-test indicate that the mean difference between the two countries is significant in the upper house of the parliament but not significant only powerful in lower house of the Parliament. Keywords: Comparison of Pakistan and Malaysia, federal legislative and executive bodies, women representation INTRODUCTION 10.1% in Arabs, 13.2% in Pacific, 18.4% in Sub Saharan Africa and 18.7% in Asian countries in 2010 Under-representation of women in legislative (IPU, 2010). bodies has become a global issue thereby gaining Scholars explained such variations by a variety of interest of researchers of the entire world (Paxton et al., factors including institutional factors such as type of 2010; Bergh, 2009; Celis, 2009; Stockemer, 2008; government, electoral process, party system, quotas Tremblay, 2007; Whitford et al., 2007; Norris, 2006; (Paxton et al., 2010; Stockemer, 2008; Francechet and Sainsbury, 2004). Considerable work has been done in Piscopo, 2008) socio-economic factors like class- both developed (Nielsen and Morten, 2010; Paxton distinction, illiteracy, per capita income, poverty et al., 2010; Bernardi et al., 2009; Koning, 2009; (Jabeen and Muhammad Zafar, 2009; Whistler and Tremblay, 2007; Whistler and Mark, 2007; Norris, Mark, 2007) and cultural factors such as customs, 2006) and developing countries (Jabeen and traditions and religion (Bano, 2009). Factors Muhammad Zafar, 2009; Bergh, 2009; Bano, 2009; responsible for women’s overall under-representation is Davies, 2005; Allwood and Khursheed, 2004). Scholars largely common across nations while the degree of around the world are of the view that despite under- representation varies from nation to nation constituting half of the world population, the (Norris, 2006). Therefore, special measures and representation of women in the national legislature is techniques cannot bring similar outcome for all nations, only 18% and may be regarded as marginal (Krook, rather customized strategies are mandatory to overcome 2010; Bano, 2009; Wolbrecht and David, 2007). the problems of women’s under representation (Halder, Even in advance societies the representation of 2004). women has increased only marginally from 9% in 1995 Although considerable work has been done on to 16 percent in 2004 which is much lower than the women’s representation in federal legislature around critical mass of 30 percent envisaged at Beijing (Paxton the world as an individual country case study (Jabeen et al., 2010; Devlin and Robert, 2008). However, and Muhammad Zafar, 2009; Paxton et al., 2007; recently it reached to 50 percent especially in Nordic Halder, 2004; Lovenduski and Pippa, 2003) or cross countries, 19.9% in OSCE member countries countries analysis (Paxton, 1997) but less work has (excluding Nordic countries) and 22.2% in American been done on the overtime comparative analysis of societies in 2010 (IPU, 2010). The representation of women representation in both the federal legislative and women in most of the developing countries is much executive bodies in general (Krook, 2010; Stockemer, below than those of advanced countries and is about 2008; Whitford et al., 2007) and in the context of Corresponding Author: Najeebullah Khan, Department of Public Administration, School of Communication, University Sains Malaysia, Gomal University, D.I. Khan, Pakistan 276 Asian J. Bus. Manage., 5(3): 276-283, 2013 Malaysia and Pakistan in particular. The analysis of million are female (Pakistan Statistical Year Book, women representation in federal legislature is valuable 2009). About 20% of the population lives below the but not comprehensive. For broader and overarching international poverty line of US$ 1.25 a day view of women representative comparative analyses of (Wikipedia, 2010). Pakistan has a multi-cultural and women representation in both the federal legislative and multi-ethnic society. Pakistan is a multilingual country executive bodies are mandatory. with more than sixty languages being spoken. English This study will fill this gap in the literature by is the official language of Pakistan while Urdu is the analyzing comparative patterns and variations of national language. Other major languages include women representation in the federal legislative and Punjabi, Pashto, Sandi, Balochi, Saraiki and Kashmiri. executive bodies of Pakistan and Malaysia. By analyzing the implications and the practical aspects of Politics of Pakistan: Under the provisions of the these measures and the problems of women at domestic constitution of Pakistan 1973 both men and women 4 and societal level this study will also suggests the enjoy equal rights of voting and contesting . The proposals to make the environment conducive for constitution not only guarantees equal fundamental implementing revolutionary steps by the government rights to every one and prohibit discrimination on the with the help of civil society and NGOs along with due basis of gender rather bound the government to provide spaces for all marginalized groups including women in cooperation of the masses. The selection of two Asian 5 countries is based on the ground that despite many the government machinery . It is also provided in the socio-economic and cultural differences the two constitution that the state shall make endeavor to ensure countries are similar in terms of legacy and current state full participation of women in all government sphere of national life (Jabeen and Muhammad Zafar, 2009; and trajectory of women's representation as both 6 countries have a parliamentary form of government Bano, 2009) . with bicameral legislature and bureaucratic structure. The parliamentary system of Pakistan provide Furthermore, both are declared Islamic states and are equal right of voting to every citizen of the state if he/she is over the age of 18 and a right of contesting if capable of being the real modern Islamic countries who he/she have a graduation degree (14 years of schooling) can exhibit the working model of peace of Islam to the and a 24 years of age for National Assembly and 30 whole world. years of age for senate (Wikipedia, 2010). National Assembly comprises of 342 (282 directly and 60 LITERATURE REVIEW proportionally) elected members for the period of five years unless sooner dissolved. The senate comprises of • Women in politics: reflections from Pakistan: th 100 indirectly elected members (provincial assemblies) Pakistan got independence on 14 August 1947. It for a period of fixed six years having representation on originally had two wings, West Pakistan and East the principle of provincial parity, however, one-half of Pakistan but the latter got separated in 1971 and its members retire after every three years (Yazdani, became Bangladesh. Pakistan now consists of five 2003)7. provinces (Sind, Punjab, Khyber Pukhtunkhwa 1 2 Balochistan and Gilgit Baltistan ); two federally Women and politics in Pakistan: The political status administered areas (Federally Administered of women in Pakistan varies considerably across Northern Areas (FANA) and the Federally regions, classes and locations due to demographic Administered Tribal Areas (FATA)); Azad Jammu differences, socio-economic characteristics, and the and Kashmir (AJK); and the Federal Capital Area impacts of religion and feudal/tribal nature of society (FCA) of Islamabad (Wikipedia, 2010; Stone et al., (Jabeen and Muhammad Zafar, 2009). Predominant 2006). Pakistan being a federal state is governed by male society restricts women only to household the constitution of Pakistan 1973. The constitution activities and does not allow them to interact with the allocates functions and demarcates powers between men. The political participation of women remained at federation and federating units. The constitution low priority except in the days of independence when empowered the federal government to legislate on they were involved on equal footing (Bano, 2009; matters presented in the Federal Legislative List Saiyid, 2001). The role of political parties in the 3 while the residuary powers vested to the province . mobilization of women in political environment is negligible one. The political parties and masses used Pakistan has bicameral legislature comprising on women for voting in elections. Their role with in the National Assembly (the lower house) and the senate party is limited to the organization of women
Load more

Recommended publications
  • An Analysis of United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) 1946 - 1999 Azeem Fazwan Ahmad Farouk
    Institut für Asien- und Afrikawissenschaften Philosophische Fakultät III der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Culture and Politics: An Analysis of United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) 1946 - 1999 Azeem Fazwan Ahmad Farouk Südostasien Working Papers No. 46 Berlin 2011 SÜDOSTASIEN Working Papers ISSN: 1432-2811 published by the Department of Southeast Asian Studies Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Unter den Linden 6 10999 Berlin, Germany Tel. +49-30-2093 66031 Fax +49-30-2093 66049 Email: [email protected] The Working Papers do not necessarily express the views of the editors or the Institute of Asian and African Studies. Al- though the editors are responsible for their selection, responsibility for the opinions expressed in the Papers rests with the authors. Any kind of reproduction without permission is prohibited. Azeem Fazwan Ahmad Farouk Culture and Politics: An Analysis of United Malays National Organi- sation (UMNO) 1946 - 1999 Südostasien Working Papers No. 46 Berlin 2011 Table of Contents Preface........................................................................................................................................................... 5 Abbreviations.................................................................................................................................................. 6 CHAPTER 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................... 9 Organizational Structure and Centralization..................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Federal Constitution of Malaysia
    LAWS OF MALAYSIA REPRINT FEDERAL CONSTITUTION Incorporating all amendments up to 1 January 2006 PUBLISHED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF LAW REVISION, MALAYSIA UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE REVISION OF LAWS ACT 1968 IN COLLABORATION WITH PERCETAKAN NASIONAL MALAYSIA BHD 2006 Laws of Malaysia FEDERAL CONSTITUTION First introduced as the Constitution … 31 August 1957 of the Federation of Malaya on Merdeka Day Subsequently introduced as the … … 16 September 1963 Constitution of Malaysia on Malaysia Day PREVIOUS REPRINTS First Reprint … … … … … 1958 Second Reprint … … … … … 1962 Third Reprint … … … … … 1964 Fourth Reprint … … … … … 1968 Fifth Reprint … … … … … 1970 Sixth Reprint … … … … … 1977 Seventh Reprint … … … … … 1978 Eighth Reprint … … … … … 1982 Ninth Reprint … … … … … 1988 Tenth Reprint … … … … … 1992 Eleventh Reprint … … … … … 1994 Twelfth Reprint … … … … … 1997 Thirteenth Reprint … … … … … 2002 Fourteenth Reprint … … … … … 2003 Fifteenth Reprint … … … … … 2006 Federal Constitution CONTENTS PAGE ARRANGEMENT OF ARTICLES 3–15 CONSTITUTION 17–208 LIST OF AMENDMENTS 209–211 LIST OF ARTICLES AMENDED 212–229 4 Laws of Malaysia FEDERAL CONSTITUTION NOTE: The Notes in small print on unnumbered pages are not part of the authoritative text. They are intended to assist the reader by setting out the chronology of the major amendments to the Federal Constitution and for editorial reasons, are set out in the present format. Federal Constitution 3 LAWS OF MALAYSIA FEDERAL CONSTITUTION ARRANGEMENT OF ARTICLES PART I THE STATES, RELIGION AND LAW OF THE FEDERATION Article 1. Name, States and territories of the Federation 2. Admission of new territories into the Federation 3. Religion of the Federation 4. Supreme Law of the Federation PART II FUNDAMENTAL LIBERTIES 5. Liberty of the person 6. Slavery and forced labour prohibited 7.
    [Show full text]
  • Malaysia's Constitution of 1957 with Amendments Through 2007
    PDF generated: 26 Aug 2021, 16:39 constituteproject.org Malaysia's Constitution of 1957 with Amendments through 2007 Subsequently amended This complete constitution has been generated from excerpts of texts from the repository of the Comparative Constitutions Project, and distributed on constituteproject.org. constituteproject.org PDF generated: 26 Aug 2021, 16:39 Table of contents PART I: THE STATES, RELIGION AND LAW OF THE FEDERATION . 12 1. Name, States and territories of the Federation . 12 2. Admission of new territories into the Federation . 12 3. Religion of the Federation . 12 4. Supreme law of the Federation . 13 PART II: FUNDAMENTAL LIBERTIES . 13 5. Liberty of the person . 13 6. Slavery and forced labour prohibited . 14 7. Protection against retrospective criminal laws and repeated trials . 14 8. Equality . 14 9. Prohibition of banishment and freedom of movement . 15 10. Freedom of speech, assembly and association . 15 11. Freedom of religion . 16 12. Rights in respect of education . 17 13. Rights to property . 17 PART III: CITIZENSHIP . 17 Chapter 1: Acquisition of Citizenship . 17 14. Citizenship by operation of law . 17 15. Citizenship by registration (wives and children of citizens) . 18 15A. Special power to register children . 18 16. Citizenship by registration (persons born in the Federation before Merdeka Day) . 19 16A. Citizenship by registration (persons resident in States of Sabah and Sarawak on Malaysia Day) . 19 17. Repealed . 19 18. General provisions as to registration . 19 19. Citizenship by naturalisation . 20 19A. Repealed . 21 20. Repealed . 21 21. Repealed . 21 22. Citizenship by incorporation of territory . 21 Chapter 2: Termination of Citizenship .
    [Show full text]
  • Case Study Women in Politics: Reflections from Malaysia
    International IDEA, 2002, Women in Parliament, Stockholm (http://www.idea.int). This is an English translation of Wan Azizah, “Perempuan dalam Politik: Refleksi dari Malaysia,” in International IDEA, 2002, Perempuan di Parlemen: Bukan Sekedar Jumlah, Stockholm: International IDEA, pp. 191-202. (This translation may vary slightly from the original text. If there are discrepancies in the meaning, the original Bahasa-Indonesia version is the definitive text). Case Study Women in Politics: Reflections from Malaysia Wan Azizah Women constitute half of humanity, and it follows that any decision-making, whether at the personal, family, societal or public levels, should be mindful of and involve the participation of women in the making of those decisions. Women’s political, social and economic rights are an integral and inseparable part of their human rights. Democracy is an inclusive process, and therefore in a functioning democracy, the points of view of different interest groups must be taken into account in formulating any decision. The interest and opinions of men, women and minorities must be part of that decision-making process. Yet far from being included in the decision-making process, women find themselves under-represented in political institutions. Numerous challenges confront women entering politics. Among them are lack of party support, family support and the "masculine model" of political life. Many feel that Malaysian society is still male dominated, and men are threatened by the idea of women holding senior posts. In the political sphere this is compounded by the high premium placed on political power. This makes some men even less willing to share power with women.
    [Show full text]
  • PRESS CITATIONS Supply Bill 2021 Tabled for Second Reading in Dewan Negara
    4/14/2021 Supply Bill 2021 tabled for second reading in Dewan Negara Bahasa Malaysia PRESS CITATIONS Supply Bill 2021 tabled for second reading in Dewan Negara P R E S S C I TAT I O N S | 1 6 D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 0 KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 16 – The Supply Bill 2021 was tabled for second reading in the Dewan Negara today by Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz with the amendments approved in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday afternoon. Tengku Zafrul said the amendments involves Clause 2 in the Bahasa Malaysia text and the English text of the Supply Bill 2021 from the figures RM164,151,656,800 to RM164,106,656,800. "I would also like to inform that the Schedule to the Supply Bill 2021 is amended under the 'amount' column for ‘Maksud B.47’ by substituting the figures 1,242,464,900 with 1,197,464,900, and on its total by replacing the figures 164,151,656,800 with 164,106,656,800," he told the Dewan Negara. Tengku Zafrul said the amendments arise from the reduction of the amount allocated for ‘Maksud B. 47’ specified in the Schedule to the Bill. This is to reduce RM45 million from the amount allocated under “Kepala Bekalan B. 47” under item 050100 -- Expansion of the Special Affairs Department (JASA), Ministry of Communications and Multimedia. "In the spirit of parliamentary democracy, as well as considering the views received from people from various walks of life, several other amendments have also been agreed upon and today I will detail them once again to the honourable members in this Senate," he said.
    [Show full text]
  • Constitutional Documents of All Tcountries in Southeast Asia As of December 2007, As Well As the ASEAN Charter (Vol
    his three volume publication includes the constitutional documents of all Tcountries in Southeast Asia as of December 2007, as well as the ASEAN Charter (Vol. I), reports on the national constitutions (Vol. II), and a collection of papers on cross-cutting issues (Vol. III) which were mostly presented at a conference at the end of March 2008. This collection of Constitutional documents and analytical papers provides the reader with a comprehensive insight into the development of Constitutionalism in Southeast Asia. Some of the constitutions have until now not been publicly available in an up to date English language version. But apart from this, it is the first printed edition ever with ten Southeast Asian constitutions next to each other which makes comparative studies much easier. The country reports provide readers with up to date overviews on the different constitutional systems. In these reports, a common structure is used to enable comparisons in the analytical part as well. References and recommendations for further reading will facilitate additional research. Some of these reports are the first ever systematic analysis of those respective constitutions, while others draw on substantial literature on those constitutions. The contributions on selected issues highlight specific topics and cross-cutting issues in more depth. Although not all timely issues can be addressed in such publication, they indicate the range of questions facing the emerging constitutionalism within this fascinating region. CONSTITUTIONALISM IN SOUTHEAST ASIA Volume 2 Reports on National Constitutions (c) Copyright 2008 by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, Singapore Editors Clauspeter Hill Jőrg Menzel Publisher Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung 34 Bukit Pasoh Road Singapore 089848 Tel: +65 6227 2001 Fax: +65 6227 2007 All rights reserved.
    [Show full text]
  • Asian-Parliaments.Pdf
    Asian Parliaments Bangladesh Government type: parliamentary democracy unicameral National Parliament or Jatiya Sangsad; 300 seats elected by popular vote from single territorial constituencies (the constitutional amendment reserving 30 seats for women over and above the 300 regular parliament seats expired in May 2001); members serve five­year terms elections: last held 1 October 2001 (next to be held no later than January 2007) Bhutan Government type: monarchy; special treaty relationship with India unicameral National Assembly or Tshogdu (150 seats; 105 elected from village constituencies, 10 represent religious bodies, and 35 are designated by the monarch to represent government and other secular interests; members serve three­year terms) elections: local elections last held August 2005 (next to be held in 2008) Burma Government type: military junta (leader not elected) Unicameral People's Assembly or Pyithu Hluttaw (485 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four­year terms) elections: last held 27 May 1990, but Assembly never allowed by junta to convene Cambodia Government type: multiparty democracy under a constitutional monarchy established in September 1993 Bicameral, consists of the National Assembly (123 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five­year terms) and the Senate (61 seats; 2 members appointed by the monarch, 2 elected by the National Assembly, and 57 elected by parliamentarians and commune councils; members serve five­year terms) elections: National Assembly ­ last held 27 July 2003 (next to be
    [Show full text]
  • PARLIAMENT AS the GRAND INQUEST of the NATION: PROPOSALS for ENHANCING PARLIAMENT’S INSTITUTIONAL EFFICACY Shad Saleem Faruqi Tun Hussein Onn Chair, ISIS Malaysia
    PARLIAMENT AS THE GRAND INQUEST OF THE NATION: PROPOSALS FOR ENHANCING PARLIAMENT’S INSTITUTIONAL EFFICACY Shad Saleem Faruqi Tun Hussein Onn Chair, ISIS Malaysia 1 INTRODUCTION It is not reliable to measure the depth of the sea at low tide. Perhaps this analogy is relevant to our Parliament that has been in abeyance for the last six months except for a few hours on 18th May. Parliament has also largely been a bystander to the devastating health and economic crisis and the political instability engulfing our beloved land. 2 This bystander’s role is NOT what our Constitution envisaged. Forty-nine Articles of the Constitution (out of a total of 183) deal with the composition, qualification, legislative powers, financial powers, privileges and procedures of our Parliament (Articles 44-68, 73-79 and 96-112). 3 The electoral process for choosing representatives to the Dewan Rakyat is covered by Articles 113-120 and the Thirteenth Schedule. Elections to Parliament and to the Legislative Assemblies of the States incur a massive investment: RM 500 million in 2018 and an estimated RM 750 million for the next electoral exercise due to the reduction of voting age to 18 and the substantial increase in the number of voters. 4 CONSTITUTIONAL FUNCTIONS In our “Westminster system” of “parliamentary government”, the Constitution reposes in our federal legislature the following constitutional functions: 1. The legislative function of enacting, amending and repealing of laws. This should include the scrutiny of subsidiary legislation and a leadership role in law reform. 2. Oversight of executive policy and performance to ensure accountability, answerability and responsibility of the political executive to Parliament.
    [Show full text]
  • Report of the Official Parliamentary Delegation to Sri Lanka and Malaysia
    THE PARLIAMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Report of the Australian Parliamentary Delegation to Malaysia and to Sri Lanka 5 December to 14 December 2011 October 2012 The Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia Report of the Australian Parliamentary Delegation Malaysia and Sri Lanka 5 December to 14 December 2011 October 2012 Canberra © Commonwealth of Australia 2012 ISBN 978-0-642-79614-1 (Printed version) This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial- NoDerivs 3.0 Australia License. The details of this licence are available on the Creative Commons website: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/au/. Contents Membership of the Delegation ................................................................................. vi REPORT 1 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 1 Aims and objectives of the visits ................................................................................................. 2 Appreciation ................................................................................................................................ 2 2 Malaysia ............................................................................................................... 5 Malaysia at a glance ................................................................................................................... 5 Background ..............................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • An Analysis of the Underlying Factors That Affected Malaysia-Singapore Relations During the Mahathir Era: Discords and Continuity
    An Analysis of the Underlying Factors That Affected Malaysia-Singapore Relations During the Mahathir Era: Discords and Continuity Rusdi Omar Thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Discipline of Politics and International Studies School of History and Politics Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences The University of Adelaide May 2014 TABLE OF CONTENTS TITLE PAGE TABLE OF CONTENTS i ABSTRACT v DECLARATION vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS vii ABBREVIATIONS/ACRONYMS ix GLOSSARY xii 1 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1. Introductory Background 1 1.2. Statement of the Problem 3 1.3. Research Aims and Objectives 5 1.4. Scope and Limitation 6 1.5. Literature Review 7 1.6. Theoretical/ Conceptual Framework 17 1.7. Research Methodology 25 1.8. Significance of Study 26 1.9. Thesis Organization 27 2 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF MALAYSIA-SINGAPORE RELATIONS 30 2.1. Introduction 30 2.2. The Historical Background of Malaysia 32 2.3. The Historical Background of Singapore 34 2.4. The Period of British Colonial Rule 38 i 2.4.1. Malayan Union 40 2.4.2. Federation of Malaya 43 2.4.3. Independence for Malaya 45 2.4.4. Autonomy for Singapore 48 2.5. Singapore’s Inclusion in the Malaysian Federation (1963-1965) 51 2.6. The Period after Singapore’s Separation from Malaysia 60 2.6.1. Tunku Abdul Rahman’s Era 63 2.6.2 Tun Abdul Razak’s Era 68 2.6.3. Tun Hussein Onn’s Era 76 2.7. Conclusion 81 3 CONTENTIOUS ISSUES IN MALAYSIA-SINGAPORE RELATIONS 83 3.1. Introduction to the Issues Affecting Relations Between Malaysia and Singapore 83 3.2.
    [Show full text]
  • Malaysia (The Federation of Malaysia)
    Malaysia (The Federation of Malaysia) GORDON P. MEANS 1 history and development of federalism The Federation of Malaysia is composed of 13 states and three Federal Territories.1 It is located on the Malay Peninsula at the southeastern tip of continental Asia and along the northern part of the Island of Borneo. The federation evolved from the pattern of British rule, which was based on treaties with Malay sultanate states. Four of the Malay states joined in a federation in 1896, while five states remained “unfed- erated.” In the colonial period the British also ruled directly three col- onies – Singapore, Melaka and Penang – and exercised indirect colonial rule over the Borneo states of Sarawak and North Borneo. Af- ter the Second World War, various efforts were made to unify these states and territories. A proposal to form a Malayan Union had to be abandoned due to the combined opposition of the Malay sultans and the Malays, who feared loss of political power if immigrant communi- ties of Chinese, Indians and others were fully represented in the pro- 1 The three Federal Territories are as follows: Kuala Lumpur was made a Federal Territory in 1974; Labuan was made a Federal Territory in 1984; and Putrajaya which was created as a Federal Territory in 2001. The admin- istrative capital of Malaysia is now Putrajaya, which is located about 25 miles north of Kuala Lumpur, and is a new city designed exclusively for the federal government. 185 Malaysia posed democratic institutions. Instead, in 1948 a Federation of Malaya was created, with special provisions to protect the powers of the Malay Rulers and the interests of their Malay subjects.
    [Show full text]
  • For Review Purposes Only
    ONLY PURPOSES REVIEW FOR Understanding the Dewan Rakyat Copyright © Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung & Insight News Sdn Bhd. 2011 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the Publisher except in case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. Earlier versions of MP Watch: Eye on Parliament reports have appeared in The Nut Graph website exclusively. Images contained in this volume are courtesy and property of The Nut Graph, the interviewees and/or other sources respectively. Permission to reproduce the aforementioned and previously published material is gratefully ONLY acknowledged. FIRST EDITION: March 2011 Published by B-2-19, Merchant Square, Jalan Tropicana Selatan 1, PJU 3, 47410 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.zipublications.com.my ISBN 978-967-5266-18-8 Layout & cover design by creativetrees.blogspot.com /REVIEW [email protected] Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia Cataloguing-in-Publication Data Understanding the Dewan Rakyat / The Nut Graph FOR ISBN 978-967-5266-18-8 1. Malaysia – Politics and government. I. Title. 344.07409595 Printed in Malaysia by Vinlin Press Sdn. Bhd. No. 2, Jalan Meranti Permai 1, Meranti Permai Industrial Park, Batu 15, Jalan Puchong, 47100 Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia Contents West Malaysia Constituencies Map 10 East Malaysia Constituencies Map 12 Foreword 14 Introduction 16 ONLY Part I Knowing Malaysia’s Parliamentary Democracy 20 System of governance and the role of Parliament 21 Malaysia’s electoral system 24 The work of an MP 30 Funding our MPs 38 The speaker: Functions and powers 42 PURPOSES Part II Knowing Malaysia’s MPs 54 MP Watch: who replied, who didn’t, and why 55 MPs and the ISA 63 MPs and the Islamic state issue 68 MPs and freedom of information 72 MPsREVIEW and separation of powers 77 The challenges of being an MP 81 MPs and lawmaking 88 FORStr engthening parliamentary democracy 93 Part III 222 MP Profiles 100 Perlis P.
    [Show full text]